BRONCOS SCOUTING REPORT
WHEN: 7:20 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver.
TV/RADIO: NBC/WTGE (100.7-FM), WWL (870-AM, 105.3-FM).
RECORDS: Broncos, 3-3; Saints: 2-4.
LAST WEEK: Broncos had a bye week; Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Bucs, 35-28.
COACHES: Broncos, John Fox, 11th season (90-86); Saints, Joe Vitt, 2nd season (4-7)
NFL RANKINGS
Offense (league rank in parentheses)
Points: Broncos, 28.3 (7); Saints, 29.3 (t3).
Total yards: Broncos, 384.7 (6); Saints, 411.3 (3).
Rushing: Broncos, 93.8 (23); Saints, 76.2 (32).
Passing: Broncos, 290.8 (4); Saints, 335.2 (1).
Defense (league rank in parentheses)
Points: Broncos, 23.0 (t17); Saints, 30.3 (29)
Total yards: Broncos, 330.5 (11); Saints, 465.5 (32)
Rushing: Broncos, 115.2 (18); Saints, 160.3 (31)
Passing: Broncos, 215.3 (10); Saints, 305.2 (30)
KEY PLAYERS
Broncos: QB Peyton Manning, RB Willis McGahee, WR Demaryius Thomas, DE Elvis Dumerville, LB Von Miller, CB Champ Bailey.
Saints: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, G Jahri Evans, DE Cameron Jordan, MLB Curtis Lofton, FS Malcolm Jenkins.
BRONCOS SCOUTING REPORT
Offense: The Broncos rank sixth in total yards with Peyton Manning using the no-huddle to direct a passing game that ranks fourth at 290.8 yards per game with solid receivers in Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and former UL-Lafayette star Brandon Stokley. While they rank just 23rd in rushing, they have a capable veteran in Willis McGahee, who averages 4.3 yards a carry.
Defense: With an average of three sacks per game, the Broncos can bring the heat with their 4-3 base defense. Strongside linebacker Von Miller and end Elvis Dumervil are two of the league’s top speed pass-rushers with six and five sacks, respectively, while 14-year veteran Champ Bailey, one of the league’s premier shutdown corners, anchors the secondary.
Special teams: Kicker Matt Prater has made all seven of his field-goal tries, with two of them coming from 50 yards and out. Punter Britton Colquitt has been solid with a gross average of 47.0 yards and net of 42.7 yards per kick. The coverage teams have been effective, holding opponents to just 20.3 yards per kickoff return and 4.9 yards on punts.
BRONCOS FACTS
The Broncos have five Louisiana natives on the roster — Manning, cornerback Tracy Porter, wide receiver Brandon Stokley, kick returner Trindon Holliday and tackle Chris Clark. … Holliday was claimed by the Broncos on Oct. 11 after he was waived by Houston. … Jack Del Rio, who played for the Saints in 1985 and ’86, is the Broncos’ defensive coordinator and former LSU player Tyke Tolbert is the wide receivers coach for John Fox. … The Broncos lead the all-time series 7-2 after taking the last three meetings and are 4-1 at home against the Saints.
Compiled by Sheldon Mickles